A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-24-04....Happy Thanksgiving!

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997. Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Giving Thanks

For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

Author Unknown

In searching for a special Thanksgiving prayer for this post, I came across this from a couple years ago. I don't think I could find anything more fitting to include in this year's Thanksgiving presentation. Thank you, Michelle Malkin, for this.....

By Michelle Malkin

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we gather together to count our blessings, 381 years after the first Thanksgiving Day, we realize how little appreciation we have expressed for this thy bounty:

For sunbeams and sunsets and sun-kissed cheeks, for rainbows and raindrops and rain sticks, for mountain dew and prairie frost, for harvest moons and shooting stars, we give thee praise.

For Blueberry Hill and Blackberry Creek, for Apple Valley and Orange County, for Plum Borough and Peachtree City, for Pineapple Park and Coconut Grove, we give thee praise.

For coal miners and construction workers, for truckers and bakers, for mail sorters and short-order cooks, for ranch hands and stage hands, for accountants who keep honest books, for politicians who keep their promises, for stay-at-home moms and double-shift dads, we give thee praise.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, we thank you this day for "Proud to Be an American" and "These Colors Don't Run," for "Let Freedom Ring" and "Of Thee I Sing," for "Every Heart Beats True" and for "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."

For Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars, for Green Berets and Gold Stripes, for the 10th Mountain Division and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, for the KC-130 Crew and the 101st Airborne Division, for the soldiers and SEALS and special forces who made the ultimate sacrifice this year, and for all who continue to protect and to serve, we give thee praise.

For the Border Patrol and citizens on patrol, for the National Guard and Guardian Angels, for the USO and the VFW, we thank you, O God, our creator and redeemer.

For the Pentagon rebuilt and Ground Zero restored and the faith of a nation renewed, for "Semper Paratus" and "Non sibi sed patriae," for "Never forget" and "Never surrender," for freedom from fear and freedom to dream, for free minds and free markets, for freedom with responsibility, we give thee praise.

For the Song of Solomon and the Prayer of St. Francis, for "the Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer," for "without vision we perish," for Proverbs 28, for John 3:16, for "The Old Rugged Cross," for "The Solid Rock," and for "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," we offer eternal thanks.

For "All men are created equal," for "Tear down this wall," for "Ask not what your country can do for you," for "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," for "I swear to uphold the laws and Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies foreign and domestic," we give thee praise.

For iron will, for steely resolve, for mettle tested and time-worn, for uncommon valor that never sleeps, for steady hands, sturdy legs, broad shoulders, and level heads, for stiff upper lips, for blood, sweat and tears, for conquering our fears, and for unbending courage in the face of the unknown, we give thee praise.

O Father, we come to thee on this national day to join with heart and voice all the people of our blessed land to honor and thank thee. We ask you, Lord, as our forefathers did in times of strife, "to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings: independence and peace."

For precious life itself in this great nation—under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all—we thank thee, O Father. Amen.

Click here for Michelle Malkin's website.

Copyright 2002 Creators Syndicate, INC.

This holiday thread will run through Sunday, November 28th.
Please drop by when time permits and share a cup of cheer and
fellowship with us. New FRiends and old FRiends are always welcome
at our cyber table. So, pull up a chair ~ we are glad you are here.

We now return to our regularly scheduled program...

To you and your family ~

May your Thanksgiving be blessed with
The bounty of the Season
Love of Friends and Family
And a Harvest of Smiles...

Billie, Mama_Bear, Dansangel, Dutchess, Aquamarine,
The Mayor, JohnHuang2

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-22-04...Military Monday 11-23-04...Let the Holidays Begin!

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact danangel or .45man at danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

CLICK

[Mama_Bear]

Just stopping in for a second to say hello to all. I hate to post a thread and then not be able to be here to greet people, but I had no choice today. I am at my son's helping with the pre-Thanksgiving preparations.

But, it is wonderful to see you all here. Thanks for all the kind words and the Thanksgiving wishes. This is a very special place populated by some of the very finest people I know.

God bless you all, and God bless our military serving far from home. May they all know how very much they are appreciated.

Warm cyber-hugs to my friends and sistahs.

[Diver Dave]

Late night wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, MB.

Beautiful thread today.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you. JK and I are sending Happy Thanksgiving wishes to you, Mrs. DD and the entire DD family.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[ppaul]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above ye heavenly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen.

[Lakeside]

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving all my Finest friends!

[tomkow6]

[Texagirl4W]

Hi, TC. Hadn't talked to you in a while. Hope you have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for, not only today, but everyday of the year. Hope all is well with you.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Welcome home. Thanks for all you do. May God Bless you and your family and friends. God Bless our men and women in uniform.

Once again Thank You!

[Conspiracy Guy]

This is a very special place populated by some of the very finest people I know.

Hey! I'm here too!

Happy Thanksgiving

[TexasCowboy]

Hi, Texagirl!

As I was lying in bed this morning being lazy I was thinking about all the moms and grandmoms who were up at the crack of dawn getting everything just right for the Thanksgiving meal.
And I was thinking about all the people who had to get up and go to work just like any other day.
But most of all, I was thinking about our military men and women so far from home remembering other Thanksgivings with the family and loved ones.

I thanked God for His blessings on this nation.
In all the history of mankind, America is unique, and our steadfast reliance on God's guidance and direction has been our rock throughout our history.
May it forever be so.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, dear one, and may His blessings pour down like manna from heaven.

[TexasCowboy]

Hi, Humid!

I hope that letter will give her comfort.

I always try to remember that everything goes through God's hands first, even though it's difficult to see His purpose.
I pray that the teenager will accept God's will, and lay her burdens on His shoulders.

May you have a happy and joyous Thanksgiving, dear friend.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Happy Thanksgiving, sweetbear! : )

((((((((((Lori))))))))))

[dutchess]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Thank you for posting this beautiful touching thread Lori. Hope your having a wonderful time with your son and family.

We're at my brothers in Michigan. Had two inches of snow last night and it's a winter wonderland. It helps to be with family.

GailA...am especially thinking of you.

Hope everyone has a peaceful blessed holiday.

[The Mayor]

November 25, 2004

Be Filled With Thankfulness

Read: Romans 1:18-22

Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. —Hebrews 13:15

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 24-26; 1 Peter 2

---

Throughout history, many cultures have set aside a time for expressing their thankfulness. In the US, Thanksgiving Day originated with the pilgrims. In the midst of extreme hardship, loss of loved ones, and meager supplies, they still believed they were blessed. They chose to celebrate God's blessings by sharing a meal with Native Americans who had helped them survive.

We know we've lost the spirit of that original celebration when we catch ourselves complaining that our Thanksgiving Day has been "spoiled" by bad weather, disappointing food, or a bad cold. It's we who are spoiled—spoiled by the very blessings that should make every day a day of thanksgiving, whatever our circumstances.

Billy Graham wrote, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible." He then quoted Romans 1:21, one of the Bible's indictments against rebellious humanity. Then Dr. Graham added, "Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."

Which condition describes you? —Joanie Yoder

A grumbling mood of discontent
Gives way to thankfulness
When we consider all God's gifts
And all that we possess. —Sper

Gratitude is a God-honoring attitude.

[The Mayor]

The First Thanksgiving Proclamation

Continental Congress 1782 Thanksgiving Proclamation

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation

[ST.LOUIE1]

A special hug for((((((((dutchess-Gail))))))))

Happy Thanksgiving, pretty ladies. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Happy T-Day, guys!

Treat your wife.....DO THE DISHES! : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Happy Thanksgiving, pretty BillieBlue!

Don't eat all of the dressing! : )

[dansangel]

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too

(((((Louie_Wolfie_Man)))))>

:-)